Methods and apparatus for calibration of a sensor associated with an endoscope

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including an enclosure configured to receive an endoscope having an electromagnetic radiation sensor. The apparatus also includes an electromagnetic radiation source having at least a portion disposed within the enclosure. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation based on a calibration instruction. The electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation when at least a portion of the endoscope is coupled to the enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/772,373, filed on Mar. 4, 2013, the entirety of whichis incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to calibration of anendoscope, and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for calibrationof a sensor associated with an endoscope.

BACKGROUND

An image detector in one endoscope can have a responsiveness that isdifferent than the responsiveness of an image detector in anotherendoscope, even if the image detectors are similarly configured and wereproduced using the same process. Even a single image detector of anendoscope can have individual pixels that respond differently toincident light relative to other pixels of that image detector. Often,the variations in responsiveness can be caused by, for example,different operating conditions and/or manufacturing variations (e.g.,semiconductor processing variation). Furthermore, the responsiveness ofan image detector of an endoscope can change as the image detectorand/or endoscope ages. Variations in the responsiveness of imagedetectors can be undesirable in many endoscopic applications (e.g.,clinical applications).

Known calibration procedures can be used to equalize and normalize theresponsiveness of image detectors of endoscopes (e.g., pixel-to-pixel,endoscope-to-endoscope). These calibration procedures, however, can beperformed using a disposable endoscope cover that cannot be used morethan once. In addition, these disposable endoscope covers can be limitedto a single target pattern. Alternatively, the calibration procedurescan be performed using a reusable calibration cup (or cover) that candegrade with age and when not cleaned properly. In addition, the cup canbe limited to use with a uniform white field with no target pattern.Thus, a need exists for a multi-use endoscopic calibration unit that canhave multiple targets and related methods.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an enclosure configured toreceive an endoscope having an electromagnetic radiation sensor. Theapparatus also includes an electromagnetic radiation source having atleast a portion disposed within the enclosure. The electromagneticradiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation basedon a calibration instruction. The electromagnetic radiation sensor isconfigured to receive at least a portion of the electromagneticradiation when at least a portion of the endoscope is coupled to theenclosure.

In another embodiment, a method includes emitting electromagneticradiation at a first time from an electromagnetic radiation source thathas at least a portion disposed within an enclosure. The method alsoincludes receiving a signal from a sensor, and the signal is definedbased on a portion of the electromagnetic radiation received at thesensor while at least a portion of an endoscope is received within theenclosure. The method further includes emitting electromagneticradiation at a second time different than the first time in response tothe signal and based on a calibration algorithm associated with theendoscope.

In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter including anopening configured to be coupled to a portion of an endoscope. Theapparatus also includes a calibration unit including a calibrationtarget disposed within the calibration unit. The calibration unit isconfigured to receive the adapter such that an image sensor of theendoscope has a specified position relative to the calibration targetwhen the adapter is coupled to the calibration unit and the endoscope iscoupled to the adapter.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates an endoscope, and acalibration unit configured to receive the endoscope and calibrate asensor associated with the endoscope, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a timeline of a calibrationprocedure that can be implemented using the calibration unit shown inFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view of anendoscope and a calibration unit configured for calibration of theendoscope, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for calibrating anendoscopic sensor using an active calibration component of a calibrationunit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for testing anendoscopic sensor using an active calibration component of a calibrationunit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an adapter disposedbetween an endoscope and a calibration unit, according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a calibration unit, a setof endoscopes, and a set of adapters configured to be coupled to thecalibration unit and the respective endoscopes, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an endoscopereceived by an adapter that has been received by a calibration unit,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view ofan endoscope received by an adapter that has been received by acalibration unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope received by an adapter that has been received by acalibration unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope received by an adapter that has been received by acalibration unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope received by an adapter that has been received by acalibration unit, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for coupling an adapterto a calibration unit and coupling an endoscope to the adapter,according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers and terminology will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Any aspectset forth in any embodiment may be used with any other embodiment setforth herein.

In one embodiment, a calibration unit can be configured to receive atleast a portion of an endoscope such that one or more sensors associatedwith the endoscope can be calibrated using a calibration target at leastpartially disposed within an enclosure defined by the calibration unit.A sensor associated with the endoscope can be referred to as anendoscopic sensor. An endoscopic sensor can be, for example, anelectromagnetic (EM) radiation sensor coupled to the endoscope (e.g.,disposed within or on) and configured to function as an image detector.Such an image detector can be configured to receive and convert EMradiation reflected from an object into one or more image-detectorsignals that can be used to produce one or more images of the object ona display. The EM radiation can include, for example, radio waves,microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light,ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, gamma rays, and/or so forth.

The calibration unit can be configured to calibrate an endoscopic sensorbased on a calibration instruction(s) (e.g., set of calibrationinstructions, calibration algorithm) associated with (e.g., defining) acalibration procedure. The calibration procedure can have, for example,a pre-calibration portion, a calibration portion, and/or a calibrationtest portion (which can be part of, for example, a post-calibrationportion). The calibration unit can be configured to calibrate anendoscopic sensor based on a signal(s) (e.g., feedback signal, controlsignal) associated with one or more components of the calibration unit.The calibration unit can also be in communication with the endoscope andcan be configured to calibrate the endoscopic sensor based on asignal(s) (e.g., feedback signal, control signal) associated with one ormore components of the endoscope (e.g., processor, endoscopic sensor).

In some embodiments, the calibration unit can have an active calibrationcomponent that can be configured to define a calibration target (e.g., aposition, an image) for various calibration procedures and/or thecalibration of a variety of endoscopes (e.g., endoscopic sensors). Forexample, the active calibration component can be configured to define acalibration target in response to a calibration instruction associatedwith a calibration procedure associated with a particular endoscope. Insome embodiments, the calibration unit can be configured to, forexample, detect an endoscope (and/or endoscopic sensor)type/characteristic and trigger execution of a calibration instructionaccordingly.

The active calibration component can include, for example, an EMradiation source configured to emit EM radiation defining a calibrationtarget. The EM radiation source can be configured to emit EM radiation,for example, at specified times (e.g., during pre-calibration, duringcalibration, during post-calibration test) and/or in a specifiedarrangement. In some embodiments, the active calibration component caninclude one or more actuators configured to move, for example, a portionof the active calibration component (e.g., EM radiation source) to aspecified position within the calibration unit.

In some embodiments, the calibration unit can be configured to receivean adapter(s) that is configured to receive a portion of an endoscope(s)such that an endoscopic sensor has, for example, a specified position(e.g., distance, rotational orientation) relative to a component (e.g.,calibration target, photodetector) associated with the calibration unit.In some embodiments, a calibration unit can include one or morecomponents (e.g., sensor, detector, processor) configured to determinewhether or not a portion of an endoscope and/or an adapter has beenreceived in a desirable manner by the calibration unit beforecalibration of a sensor associated with the endoscope. In someembodiments, the calibration unit and/or the adapter can have one ormore removable components. In some embodiments, the calibration unit,the adapter, and/or the endoscope can have a variety of shapes with anycombination of curved and straight portions.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a calibration unit 110configured to receive an endoscope 100 and configured to calibrate asensor 104 associated with the endoscope 100, according to an embodimentof the invention. The calibration unit 110 has an active calibrationcomponent 112 and a calibration control module 118. The sensor 104associated with the endoscope 100 (also referred to as an endoscopicsensor 104) is an EM radiation sensor or other type of sensor configuredto function as an image detector (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD), apixel array) that can be associated with a lens or set of lenses. Theendoscopic sensor 104 can be calibrated based on a calibration procedurewhen at least a portion of the endoscope 100, such as a distal endportion 102 of the endoscope 100, is coupled to (e.g., received withinan opening of) the calibration unit 110.

The active calibration component 112 is configured to define acalibration target in response to a calibration instruction associatedwith, for example, the endoscopic sensor 104 and/or a calibrationprocedure. The active calibration component 112, in some embodiments,can include an EM radiation source such as a single point illuminator(e.g., light emitting diode (LED), halogen light, incandescent light)and/or a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The EMradiation source can be configured to emit EM radiation defining acalibration target towards the endoscopic sensor 104 during acalibration procedure associated with the endoscopic sensor 104 when theendoscope 100 is coupled to the calibration unit 110.

The active calibration component 112 can be configured to define avariety of calibration targets (also referred to as a target or acalibration target image) such as, for example, any combination of auniform white field at any color temperature, a uniform black field, auniform color field having a specified color (e.g., a band ofwavelengths centered around red, or green, etc.) or range of colors, abore sighting image (e.g., concentric circles to estimate astigmatism),an image for calibrating resolution, an image used for lens aberrationcorrection, and an advanced spectral imaging calibration target, etc. Insome embodiments, the EM radiation source can be used to define acalibration target by emitting EM radiation, for example, onto a screen(not shown) disposed within an enclosure defined by the calibration unit110.

In some embodiments, the active calibration component 112 can have aportion (e.g., static calibration image, calibration target defined byan EM radiation source) configured to move between one or more positionswithin the calibration unit 110 via an actuator (not shown). An exampleof an active calibration component having a portion configured to movevia an actuator is discussed in connection with FIG. 3.

The active calibration component 112, can be modified during, any timebefore, and/or any time after a pre-calibration portion, a calibrationportion, and/or a calibration test portion associated with a calibrationprocedure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a timeline of acalibration procedure 200 that can be implemented using the calibrationunit 110 shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.The timeline of the calibration procedure 200 includes a pre-calibrationportion 210, a calibration portion 220, and a post-calibration portion230.

The pre-calibration portion 210 can include, for example, execution of astart-up algorithm for the calibration unit 110 and/orinitialization/resetting of components (e.g., active calibrationcomponent 112) associated with the calibration unit 110. Thepre-calibration portion 210 can be triggered, for example, in responseto the endoscope 100 being coupled to the calibration unit 110.

The calibration portion 220 can include, for example, execution of oneor more calibration algorithms (e.g., a multi-point calibrationalgorithm) for calibrating the endoscopic sensor 104. A calibrationalgorithm can include defining a calibration target using the activecalibration component 112, receiving/collecting data associated with theendoscopic sensor 104 based on the calibration target, and/orcalculating one or more correction factors associated with theendoscopic sensor 104. The calibration algorithm can be, for example, areduced noise calibration algorithm performed at different light levels(e.g., greater than or equal to zero light intensity) and/or acalibration algorithm associated with a specified spectral region of EMradiation. The correction factor(s) can be, for example, a linearluminance correction factor(s), a color gain correction factor(s), awhite balance correction factor(s), a resolution correction factor(s),and/or a lens aberration (e.g., pincushion distortion, barreldistortion) correction factor(s).

In some embodiments, different portions of the endoscope 100 can becalibrated serially or in parallel during the calibration portion 220 ofthe calibration procedure timeline 200. The different portions can be,for example, different image-detecting elements (not shown) within theendoscopic sensor 104 and/or different sensors (not shown) of theendoscope 100. The different image-detecting elements (e.g., pixels) canbe individually calibrated to have a target responsiveness or to producea target response using the calibration unit 110 . The differentimage-detecting elements can be associated with different spectralregions of EM radiation. The different portions of the endoscope 100 canbe calibrated using different calibration algorithms during thecalibration portion 220 of the calibration procedure timeline 200.

The post-calibration portion 230 can include, for example, verificationof the accuracy of one or more correction factors calculated during thecalibration portion 220 of a calibration procedure. The accuracy of thecorrection factor(s) can be determined based on test calibration targetsdefined by the active calibration component 112. The post-calibrationportion 230 can include, for example, a determination that the endoscope100 is operating according to a specification and/or is capable ofsupporting a clinical application (e.g., has sufficient resolution for aparticular clinical application). More details related to calibrationprocedures are discussed in connection with the flowcharts shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

During each of the portions 210, 220, and 230 of the calibrationprocedure, a control loop(s) (e.g., a feedback loop, feedforward loop)can be implemented by the calibration control module 118 based onsignals from sensors 104 associated with the endoscope 100 and/orcalibration unit 110. For example, during the calibration portion 220 afeedback loop can be implemented such that the intensity level of acalibration target image defined by the active calibration component 112can be held substantially at a specified set point. The time constantsof the control loop can be defined and/or adjusted to avoid changes thatcould adversely affect calibration of the endoscopic sensor 104. In someembodiments, the time constants associated with the control loops can bebased on the responsiveness of the endoscopic sensor 100. More detailsrelated to control loops and signals from sensors are discussed inconnection with FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the calibration procedure associated with thecalibration procedure timeline 200 can include additional and/ordifferent portions having a different order than those shown in FIG. 2.For example, in some embodiments, a calibration procedure can include,for example, only a post-calibration portion and not a calibrationportion. In some embodiments, a calibration procedure can include apost-calibration test after each sensor from a multi-sensor endoscopehas been calibrated. In some embodiments, an endoscope(s) can becalibrated using a calibration procedure before being used in a clinicalapplication and later re-calibrated with the calibration procedure (or adifferent calibration procedure) during an intermediate portion of theclinical application.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the calibration control module 118 can beconfigured to control at least a portion of the calibration unit 110,such as the active calibration component 112, and/or at least a portionof the endoscope 100 during a calibration procedure associated with theendoscopic sensor 104. For example, in some embodiments, the activecalibration component 112 can be triggered to define a calibrationtarget image in response to a signal from the calibration control module118 during a calibration procedure (e.g., based on one or moreinstructions associated with the calibration procedure). The calibrationcontrol module 118 can also trigger the endoscopic sensor 104, forexample, to capture a frame of the calibration target image defined bythe active calibration component 112.

The calibration control module 118 can also be configured to processdata associated with the calibration unit 110 and/or the endoscope 100during a calibration procedure. For example, the calibration controlmodule 118 can process data received from the endoscope 100 and/or dataassociated with the active calibration component 112, for example, tocalculate one or more correction factors associated with the endoscopicsensor 104. Data received from the endoscope 100 can also be processedby the calibration control module 118, for example, during apost-calibration test to determine the accuracy of a correction factorcalculated during a calibration portion of a calibration procedure.

In some embodiments, the calibration control module 118 can be ahardware-based module (e.g., processor, application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read-only memory(ROM)) and/or software-based module (e.g., set of instructionsexecutable at a processor, software code). For example, the calibrationcontrol module 118 can have a processor (not shown) configured to accessa calibration instruction from a memory (not shown) associated with thecalibration control module 118. The processor can be configured to sendand/or receive signals to trigger the active calibration component 112to define a calibration target at different times during the calibrationprocedure. The processor can also be configured to send and/or receivesignals to trigger the endoscopic sensor 104 to capture frames and/orsend signals/data at different times during the calibration procedure.

In some embodiments, the calibration unit 110 can be configured toreceive and detect different types of endoscopes (not shown) that mayhave one or more different sensors and/or calibration requirements(e.g., specified environmental conditions, specified calibration limits)that can be associated with operating conditions within, for example, aclinical application. In some embodiments, the calibration controlmodule 118 can be configured to, for example, detect an endoscope typewhen, for example, the endoscope is inserted into the calibration unit110 for calibration. The calibration control module 118 can beconfigured to, for example, select and/or execute, based on theendoscope type, one or more calibration instructions from a library ofcalibration instructions. The active calibration component 112 can becontrolled (e.g., triggered to define a calibration target, moved)and/or the endoscope of the particular type can be triggered to performa function based on the calibration instruction.

In some embodiments, one or more functions associated with thecalibration control module 118 can be performed outside of thecalibration unit 110. For example, in some embodiments, one or morecalibration instructions can be executed by and/or stored at acalibration control module (not shown) disposed outside of thecalibration unit 110. The calibration control module can be included in,for example, a computer system (e.g., personal computer, database,control server) in communication with the calibration unit 110 via, forexample, a wired and/or wireless network (not shown). In theseembodiments, the calibration unit 110 can be optionally configuredwithout one or more portions or functionalities of the calibrationcontrol module 118.

In some embodiments, one or more portions of the active calibrationcomponent 112 can be disposed outside an enclosure (not shown) definedby the calibration unit 110. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore portions of the active calibration component 112 can be disposedoutside of the calibration unit 110 or controlled (e.g., moved) using acontroller disposed outside of the calibration unit 110. In someembodiments, the calibration unit 110 can include more than one activecalibration component (not shown).

In some embodiments, an adapter (not shown in FIG. 1) can be disposedbetween the endoscope 100 and the calibration unit 110. For example, theadapter can be used to mate the distal end portion 102 of the endoscope100 with the calibration unit 110 such that the endoscopic sensor 104can have a specified position (e.g., distance, orientation) relative toa portion of the active calibration component 112. More details relatedto adapters associated with a calibration unit and/or an endoscope arediscussed in connection with FIGS. 6 through 13.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view of acalibration unit 320 configured for calibration of an endoscope 300,according to an embodiment of the invention. The endoscope 300 has alight source 304 and an image detector 306. The calibration unit 320 andendoscope 300 are configured such that the image detector 306 can becalibrated when the endoscope 300 is coupled to the calibration unit320.

As shown in FIG. 3, the calibration unit 320 is an enclosure thatincludes an active calibration component 330, a calibration controlmodule 340, and a sensor (e.g., a photodetector) 344. The calibrationcontrol module 340 is in communication with the endoscope 300 such thatthe calibration control module 340 can trigger the endoscope 300 to, forexample, capture an image and/or send data to the calibration controlmodule 340 during a calibration procedure. The calibration controlmodule 340 is also in communication with the active calibrationcomponent 330 such that the calibration control module 340 can triggerthe active calibration component 330 to, for example, define acalibration target based on a calibration procedure associated with theimage detector 306.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least a portion of a distal end portion 302 ofthe endoscope 300 has been received into an opening 326 of thecalibration unit 320 and is in contact (or near contact) with a window310 that is substantially transparent to one or more spectral regions ofEM radiation. In some embodiments, the endoscope 300 is configured tocontact (or nearly contact) the window 310 such that small imperfectionsassociated with the window 310 may not be perceptible to the imagedetector 306 (e.g., out of focus) during calibration, and thus, may notaffect calibration of the image detector 306.

In some embodiments, the window 310 can be configured to have aspecified thickness and the distal end portion 302 of the endoscope 300can be configured to abut (or nearly contact) the window 310 such thatdistance 372 between the image detector 306 and an EM radiation source356 (described below) can be a specified distance during calibration ofthe image detector 306. In some embodiments, the calibration unit 320can have a stop (e.g., protrusion, pin) or set of blocking componentsthat can be used to ensure that the image detector 306 is a specifieddistance 372 from the calibration target. In some embodiments, thecalibration unit 320 can have a sensor (not shown) configured to detectthe distance 372 of the image detector 306 relative to the EM radiationsource 356. The detected distance 372 can be used to, for example,select and/or modify a calibration procedure.

The endoscope 300 is received by the calibration unit 320 such that anenvironment within the calibration unit 320 can be substantiallycontrolled during calibration of the image detector 306. For example,the distal end portion 302 of the endoscope 300 and the calibration unit320 can be configured to mate such that the environment outside of thecalibration unit 320 (e.g., ambient light, debris, air) is substantiallyprevented from entering the enclosure defined by the walls 322 ofcalibration unit 320 during calibration of the image detector 306.Although not shown, a sealing mechanism (not shown) such as an o-ringcan be disposed between the endoscope 300 and the calibration unit 320to substantially prevent influence from the ambient environment duringcalibration of the image detector 306.

The calibration unit 320 also optionally includes a sensor 312 (can bereferred to as a placement sensor) to determine whether or not theendoscope 300 (e.g., the distal end portion 302) is present or has beeninserted in a desirable manner (e.g., fully inserted) into thecalibration unit 320. In some embodiments, the sensor 312 can be used totrigger execution of any portion of a calibration procedure, forexample, when the presence of the endoscope 300 is detected. In someembodiments, the sensor 312 can be used to trigger termination of anyportion of a calibration procedure, for example, when the endoscope 300is prematurely removed during the calibration procedure. In someembodiments, the sensor 312 can be a non-contact sensor.

Although in this embodiment, the endoscope 300 has been inserted intothe opening 326 of the calibration unit 320, in some embodiments, acalibration unit (not shown) can be configured to receive a distal endportion of an endoscope (not shown) on an outside portion of thecalibration unit. For example, the endoscope can be coupled to thecalibration unit using a latch and/or another mechanism (e.g., lockingmechanism). The endoscope can be coupled to a seal of the calibrationunit to substantially prevent, for example, ambient light and/or airfrom entering the calibration unit 320 during a calibration procedureassociated with the endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 3, the active calibration component 330 includes the EMradiation source 356 and an actuator 350 configured to move the EMradiation source 356. The EM radiation source 356 can be an LCD screen.The actuator 350 includes a motor 352 coupled to and configured torotate a threaded screw 354 about a longitudinal axis of the threadedscrew 354. The EM radiation source 356 is coupled to the threaded screw354 via a threaded collar (not shown) such that the EM radiation source356 can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the threaded screw 354when the threaded screw 354 is rotated. In particular, the actuator 350is configured to move the EM radiation source 356 relative to the imagedetector 306 such that, for example, the distance 372 between EMradiation source 356 and the image detector 306 is at a desired settingduring a particular portion of a calibration procedure associated withthe image detector 306. In some embodiments, the distance 372 can bedefined to accommodate calibration of a specified range of workingdistances, a specified field of view, and/or zoom optics (not shown)associated with the image detector 306.

Although not shown, an actuator can be configured to modify the angle ofthe EM radiation source 356 relative to, for example, the longitudinalaxis of the endoscope 300. In some embodiments, an actuator (not shown)can be configured to move the EM radiation source 356 based on a pulleysystem or a mechanism having gears. The EM radiation source 356 can be,in some embodiments, replaced with a static calibration target image(not shown) such as a printed image defined for use in a calibrationprocedure.

In some embodiments, the window 310 can be configured to filter and/ordiffuse one or more spectral region(s) of EM radiation duringcalibration of the image detector 306. For example, the window 310 canbe configured such that the window 310 is substantially transparent tospectral regions of EM radiation that can be detected by the imagedetector 306. In some embodiments, calibration unit 320 can beconfigured such that the window 310 is a removable window 310 that canbe replaced, for example, when scratched, cracked, and/or a differentfiltering window (not shown) is desired during calibration of the imagedetector 306 (or an image detector of a different endoscope coupled tothe calibration unit 320). In some embodiments, an additional statictarget, screen, and/or filter (not shown) can be disposed between theendoscope 300 and any portion of the active calibration component 330during calibration.

As shown in FIG. 3, the calibration unit 320 has the photodetector 344configured to detect EM radiation within the calibration unit 320. Inthis embodiment, the photodetector 344 is in communication with thecalibration control module 340. One or more signals from thephotodetector 344 can be used by the calibration control module 340, forexample, in a feedback loop to control the spectral characteristicsand/or the intensity of calibration target images defined by the EMradiation source 356.

In some embodiments, one or more signals from the photodetector 344 canbe used, for example, by the calibration control module 340 to controloperation of the endoscope 300 during a calibration procedure. Forexample, signals from the photodetector 344 can be used in a controlloop (e.g., feedback loop) to modify light (or more generally EMradiation) emitted from the light source 304 (if the light source 304 isused during a calibration procedure). Signals from the photodetector 344can be used to calibrate, for example, an aperture (not shown)associated with the endoscope 300.

In some embodiments, the calibration unit 320 can have a variety ofsensors such as a temperature sensor (not shown) and/or a pressuresensor (not shown). The temperature sensor and/or pressure sensor can beused by the calibration control module 340 to monitor/control theenvironment within the calibration unit 320 and/or any portion of theactive calibration component 330 during a calibration procedure. Thetemperature within the calibration unit 320 can be adjusted using, forexample, a heating/cooling element (not shown). The pressure within thecalibration unit 320 can be adjusted using, for example, a valve system(not shown) or pump (not shown).

In some embodiments, the calibration unit 320 can be configured tocalibrate a sensor other than the image sensor 306, For example, thecalibration unit 320 can be configured to calibrate the light source304, a temperature sensor (not shown), or a pressure sensor (not shown)associated with the endoscope 300.

Although not shown, the calibration unit 320 can have one or more inputports, output ports, and/or antennas, that can be used for communicationwith, for example, the endoscope 300. In some embodiments, the endoscope300 can be configured to communicate with the calibration control module340 via a wired communication link and/or a wireless communication link.Although in this embodiment the calibration control module 340 is indirect communication with the endoscope 300, in some embodiments, thecalibration control module 340 is configured to communicate with theendoscope via a separate device (not shown), such as a computer. In someembodiments, the calibration unit 320 can be configured with a display(not shown) or other indicator (not shown) that can be used tocommunicate instructions to a user of the calibration unit 320.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for calibrating anendoscopic sensor using an active calibration component of a calibrationunit, according to an embodiment of the invention. Portions of themethod illustrated in the flowchart can be used during any portion of acalibration procedure.

The flowchart illustrates that a portion of an endoscope is coupled to acalibration unit at 400. In some embodiments, a portion of the endoscopecan be received within a portion of the calibration unit. Thecalibration unit can be configured to prompt a user to couple theendoscope to the calibration unit. A communication link between thecalibration unit and the endoscope can be established when the endoscopeis coupled to the calibration unit. In some embodiments, the calibrationunit can be configured to detect whether or not the endoscope has beenproperly coupled to the calibration unit and an initialization procedure(e.g., procedure for turning-on/warming-up) can be executed.

A calibration target is defined using an active calibration component at410. The calibration target can be defined by the active calibrationcomponent in response to a calibration instruction associated with, forexample, a calibration procedure or triggered via input from a user. Thecalibration target can be defined by, for example, EM radiation emittedfrom an EM radiation source associated with the active calibrationcomponent in a specified arrangement, at a specified intensity, and/orat a specified distance/orientation towards the endoscope.

A frame is captured by an endoscopic sensor associated with theendoscope based on the calibration target at 420. If the calibrationtarget is defined by an EM radiation source, the frame can be capturedbased on EM radiation emitted towards the endoscopic sensor. The framecan be captured in response to a signal from the calibration unit (e.g.,calibration control module). In some embodiments, multiple frames can becaptured by the endoscopic sensor. In some embodiments, the frame can becaptured by a portion of the endoscopic sensor. In some embodiments, thecalibration target can be illuminated by an EM radiation sourceassociated with the endoscope and/or the calibration unit such that theframe can be captured.

Data associated with the captured frame is received at the calibrationunit at 430. One or more correction factors can be calculated at thecalibration unit based on the data at 440 and/or the correctionfactor(s) can be sent from the calibration unit to the endoscope at 450.In some embodiments, any of the data processing and correction factorprocessing associated with blocks 430, 440, and/or 450 can be performedat a calibration control module associated with the calibration unit ora module separate from the calibration unit. In some embodiments,multiple correction factors can be calculated per frame. For example,the correction factors can represent an additive or multiplicativefactor to be applied to each pixel in the frame (e.g., so that there canbe up to millions of correction factors per frame). The correctionfactors can be sent from the calibration unit to the endoscope, andapplied in real time to streaming data or in a post-processing step. Insome embodiments, calculation of a correction factor may not benecessary if the performance of the endoscope meets specifiedrequirements (e.g., threshold conditions).

In some embodiments, any of the blocks associated with the flowchart canbe performed at different times, such as in a different order, orrepeated within a calibration procedure. For example, a firstcalibration target can be defined at a first light intensity during afirst time period and a frame of the first calibration target can becaptured by an endoscope during the first time period. A secondcalibration target can be defined at a second light intensity during asecond time period after the first time period and a frame of the secondcalibration target can be captured by the endoscope during the secondtime period. After the frame of the first calibration target and a frameof the second calibration target have been captured, data associatedwith the frames can then be used to calculate one or more correctionfactors.

In some embodiments, a control loop such as a feedback loop can beemployed during any portion of the flowchart. For example, thecalibration unit can be configured to use a feedback signal from aphotodetector to maintain a calibration target emitted from an EMradiation sensor associated with an active calibration component at aspecified light intensity.

In some embodiments, calibration of the endoscope can be performed toequalize/normalize the responsiveness of the endoscope over time.Accordingly, data from multiple calibrations of the endoscope can beused to calculate a correction factor for the endoscope, if necessary.In some embodiments, calibration of the endoscope can be performed toequalize/normalize the responsiveness of the endoscope with otherendoscopes. Accordingly, data from multiple endoscopes can be used tocalculate a correction factor for the endoscope, if necessary.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for testing anendoscopic sensor using an active calibration component of a calibrationunit, according to an embodiment of the invention. Portions of themethod illustrated in the flowchart can be used during any portion of acalibration procedure. The method illustrated in FIG. 5 can beimplemented, for example, after the method illustrated in FIG. 4 todetermine whether or not a correction factor calculated at 440 andapplied by the endoscope will enable the endoscopic sensor to satisfy athreshold condition associated with a clinical application.

A test target is defined using an active calibration component disposedwithin the calibration unit at 510. The test target can be defined bythe active calibration component in response to a calibrationinstruction associated with a calibration procedure. The test target canbe analogous or identical to a calibration target. In some embodiments,the test target can be defined by, for example, EM radiation emittedfrom an EM radiation source associated with the active calibrationcomponent towards the endoscope.

A frame is captured at an endoscopic sensor of the endoscope based onthe test target at 520. If the test target is defined by an EM radiationsource, the frame can be captured based on EM radiation emitted towardsthe endoscopic sensor. The frame can be captured in response to a signalfrom the calibration unit (e.g., calibration control module). In someembodiments, multiple frames can be captured by the endoscopic sensorand/or the frame(s) can be captured by a portion of the endoscopicsensor. In some embodiments, the test target can be illuminated by an EMradiation source associated with the endoscope and/or the calibrationunit such that the frame can be captured. In some embodiments, the framecan be captured based on a correction factor calculated, for example,based on the method illustrated in FIG. 4.

A responsiveness of the endoscopic sensor and/or a portion of theendoscopic sensor (e.g., a particular set of pixels of an endoscopicsensor) is determined based on data associated with the captured frameat 530. In some embodiments, the data associated with the captured framecan be compared with data associated with (e.g., used to define) thetest target. The differences, if any, can be quantified to calculate theresponsiveness of the endoscopic sensor. The responsiveness, in someembodiments, can be referred to as a sensitivity. The responsiveness ofthe endoscopic sensor and/or portions of the endoscopic sensor can be,for example, characterized in terms of a voltage level value(s), acurrent level value(s), and/or a digital number(s) (DN).

The responsiveness of the endoscopic sensor and/or the portion ofendoscopic sensor with respect to a threshold condition is determined at540. The threshold condition can be based on, for example, an operatingcondition associated with a clinical application. A notificationregarding whether the responsiveness of the endoscopic sensor and/or theportion of the endoscopic sensor did or did not satisfy the thresholdcondition can be sent to, for example, a user or a display. In someembodiments, the EM source can be moved relative to the endoscope basedon the data associated with the captured frame and/or the determinedresponsiveness. In some embodiments, a correction factor can be modifiedand/or an additional correction factor can be calculated. The modifiedcorrection factor and/or additional correction factor can be verifiedusing the method illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an adapter 610disposed between an endoscope 600 and a calibration unit 620, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. The adapter 610 is configured to becoupled to (e.g., removably coupled to) the calibration unit 620, andthe endoscope 610 is configured to be coupled (e.g., removably coupledto) to the adapter 610.

In some embodiments, the endoscope 600, the adapter 610, and thecalibration unit 620 can be collectively configured such that theendoscope 600 has a specified position with respect to one or morecomponents of the calibration unit 620 when an endoscopic sensor (notshown) associated with the endoscope 600 is calibrated using thecalibration unit 620. The endoscope 600, the adapter 610, and thecalibration unit 620 are configured to be coupled such that calibrationof the endoscope 600 can be repeated with consistency.

In some embodiments, the endoscope 600, the adapter 610, and thecalibration unit 620 can be configured to mate such that outsideenvironmental influences such as ambient light, debris (e.g., dust),and/or air are substantially prevented from entering the enclosuredefined by the calibration unit 620 during calibration of an endoscopicsensor associated with the endoscope 600. In other words, the endoscope600, the adapter 610, and the calibration unit 620 are configured suchthat an environment within the calibration unit 620 can be substantiallycontrolled during calibration of an endoscopic sensor of the endoscope600. In some embodiments, a sealing mechanism (not shown) such as ano-ring can be disposed between the endoscope 600, the adapter 610,and/or the calibration unit 620 to substantially prevent influence fromthe ambient environment during calibration of the endoscope 600.

Although at least a portion of the adapter 610 (as shown in FIG. 6) isdisposed outside of the calibration unit 620 when the adapter 610 iscoupled to the calibration unit 620, in some embodiments, the adapter610 and calibration unit 620 are configured such that the adapter 610 isentirely disposed within the calibration unit 620 when the adapter 610is coupled to the calibration unit 620.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a set of adapters 720 and730 configured to be coupled to a calibration unit 740, according to anembodiment of the invention. Adapter 720 has a bore 724 configured toreceive a distal portion 702 of an endoscope 700, and adapter 730 has abore 734 configured to receive a distal portion 712 of an endoscope 710that has a diameter greater than that of endoscope 700. Although adapter720 and adapter 730 are configured to receive endoscopes that havedifferent distal diameters (or shapes), adapter 720 and adapter 730 areboth configured such that they can be received within an opening 742 ofcalibration unit 740. Adapters 720 and 730 can include windows 722 and732, respectively. Each window 722 and 732 can be substantiallytransparent to one or more spectral regions of EM radiation and can beattached to a substantially opaque part (e.g., which includes therespective bores 724 and 734) that blocks ambient light.

Both endoscope 700 and endoscope 710 can be securely fitted via theadapters 720 and 730, respectively, such that the endoscopes 700 and 710can be calibrated by the calibration unit 740. The calibration unit 740can be configured to calibrate endoscope 700 when adapter 720 isinserted into the calibration unit 740 and the endoscope 700 is insertedinto the adapter 720. The endoscope 700, the adapter 720, and thecalibration unit 740 are configured to fit together such that theambient environment outside of the calibration unit 740 willsubstantially be prevented from affecting calibration of endoscope 700during calibration. Likewise, the calibration unit 740 can be configuredto calibrate endoscope 710 when adapter 730 is inserted into thecalibration unit 740 and when the endoscope 710 is inserted into theadapter 730. The endoscope 710, the adapter 730, and the calibrationunit 740 are configured to fit together such that the ambientenvironment outside of the calibration unit 740 will substantially beprevented from affecting calibration of endoscope 710 duringcalibration.

Although the distal portion 702 of the endoscope 700 has a circularshape and the adapter 720 has a corresponding circular bore 724configured to receive the distal portion 702, in some embodiments, thedistal portion 702 of the endoscope 700 and the bore 724 of the adaptercan be configured such that the endoscope 700 can only fit into the bore724 in a finite number of orientations (e.g., one orientation, twoorientations). For example, the distal portion 702 of the endoscope 700can have an oval shape and the bore 724 can have a corresponding ovalshape. Likewise, an outside portion of the adapter 720 and the opening742 of the calibration unit 740 can be configured such that the adapter720 can only be inserted into the opening 742 of the calibration unit740 in a finite number of orientations (e.g., one orientation, twoorientations).

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an endoscope 800received by an adapter 810 that has been received by a calibration unit820, according to an embodiment of the invention. The endoscope 800 hasbeen inserted into the adapter 810 such that an orientation feature 802of the endoscope 800 is aligned with an orientation feature 812 of theadapter 810. Also as shown in FIG. 8, the adapter 810 has been insertedinto the calibration unit 820 such that the orientation feature 812 ofthe adapter 810 is aligned with an orientation feature 822 of thecalibration unit 820. The orientation features 802, 812, and 822 areconfigured such that the endoscope 800 (and/or an endoscopic sensor (notshown)) has a specified orientation relative to the calibration unit 820(and/or a calibration target (not shown)) when the orientation features802, 812, and 822 are aligned.

In some embodiments, the orientation features 802, 812, and 822 can beconfigured such that the endoscope 800 has a specified orientationrelative to the calibration unit 820 when the orientation features 802,812, and 822 have a specified orientation with respect to one another(e.g., unaligned orientation). Although in this embodiment the endoscope800, the adapter 810, and the calibration unit 820 each have anorientation feature, in some embodiments, only the endoscope 800 andcalibration unit 820 can have orientation features (not shown) that areconfigured such that the endoscope 800 has a specified orientationrelative to the calibration unit 820 when the orientation features arealigned.

In some embodiments, the number of orientations with which the endoscope800 can be received by the adapter 810 can be limited (e.g., one, lessthan three) if the endoscope 800 and the adapter 810 have differentshapes than those shown in FIG. 8. Also, the number of orientations withwhich the adapter 810 can be received by the calibration unit 820 can belimited (e.g., one, less than three) if the adapter 810 and thecalibration unit 820 have different shapes than those shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view ofan endoscope 800 received by an adapter 810 that has been received by acalibration unit 820, according to an embodiment of the invention. Inthis embodiment, the cross-sectional view is within a plane that isnormal to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope 800. The adapter 810 canbe received by the calibration unit 820 in the orientation shown in FIG.9 when the orientation feature 852 of the adapter 810 is mated withorientation feature 850 of the calibration unit 820. Similarly, theendoscope 800 can be received by the calibration unit in the orientationshown in FIG. 9 when orientation feature 842 of the endoscope 800 ismated with the orientation feature 840 of the adapter 810. Theorientation features 840, 842, 850, and 852 can be configured such thatan endoscopic sensor 830 has a specified orientation relative to acomponent (not shown) associated with the calibration unit 820 whencoupled as shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the adapter 810 is received by the calibration unit820 such that the cross-sectional area of the adapter 810 is outside ofthe center of the calibration unit 820 as indicated by the intersectionof the dashed lines. Also as shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope 800 isreceived by the adapter 810 such that the cross-sectional area of theendoscope 800 is offset from the center of the adapter 810.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope 1000 received by an adapter 1010 that has been received bya calibration unit 1050, according to an embodiment of the invention.The distance 1040 between an endoscopic sensor 1002 and a calibrationcomponent 1054 (e.g., active calibration component, calibration target)is defined by a thickness 1020 of a window 1012 of the adapter 1010 anda distance 1030. The distance 1030 is the distance between the distalside of window 1012 of the adapter 1010 and the proximal side ofcalibration component 1054 when the adapter 1010 is inserted into thecalibration unit 1050 until the adapter 1010 is in contact with (or nearcontact with) a protrusion 1052 of the calibration unit 1050. In someembodiments, the endoscopic sensor 1002 can be calibrated by thecalibration unit 1050 when the endoscope 1000 is received by the adapter1010 and the adapter 1010 has been received by the calibration unit 1050as shown in FIG. 10.

In some embodiments, the thickness 1020 of the window 1012 of theadapter 1010 and/or the protrusion 1052 can be configured such that thedistance 1040 between the endoscopic sensor 1002 and the calibrationcomponent 1054 is different than that shown in FIG. 10. In someembodiments, the distance 1040 can be defined based on the type ofendoscope 1000 and/or the type of endoscopic sensor 1002.

In some embodiments, the adapter 1010 can be an adjustable adapter. Forexample, the window 1012 can be removably coupled to the adapter 1010such that the window 1012 can be removed and replaced with a window (notshown) that has a different thickness, shape and/or spectralcharacteristics. Thus, the endoscopic sensor 1002, for example, can havea different position relative to the calibration component 1054 when theendoscope 1000 is inserted into the adapter 1010 and the adapter 1010 isinserted into the calibration unit 1050. In some embodiments, a bodyportion 1014 of the adapter 1010 can be replaced with a body portion(not shown) that has a different size and/or shape such that theendoscope 1000 can be in a different position relative to any portion ofthe calibration unit 1050 when the endoscope 1000 is inserted into theadapter 1010 and the adapter 1010 is inserted into the calibration unit1050. Although the adapter 1010 in this embodiment has a window 1012 anda body portion 1014, in some embodiments the adapter 1010 can beconstructed of a single material (e.g., same material as the window1012, same material as the body portion 1014) or multiple materials.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope 1100 received by an adapter 1130 that has been received bya calibration unit 1120, according to an embodiment of the invention.The adapter 1130 includes a body portion (e.g., an endoscope holder)1132 for receiving the endoscope 1100. The adapter 1130 is configuredsuch that a longitudinal axis 1104 of the endoscope 1100 has a specifiedangle 1150 relative to a direction 1126 normal to a plane associatedwith a calibration component 1124 when the endoscope 1100 is received bythe adapter 1130 as shown in FIG. 11. Thus, the endoscopic sensor 1102has a specified orientation relative to the calibration component 1124.In some embodiments, the calibration component 1124 can be an activecalibration component or a calibration target.

In some embodiments, the angle 1150 can be defined to accommodate acalibration requirement associated with the endoscopic sensor 1102. Forexample, the angle 1150 can be defined to enable calibration of theendoscopic sensor 1102 at a specified angle of incidence with respectto, for example, EM radiation emitted from an EM radiation source (notshown) of the calibration component 1124. In some embodiments, theposition and/or orientation of calibration component 1124 can be varied,for example, so that the longitudinal axis 1104 of the endoscope 1100 issubstantially parallel to the direction 1126 normal to the planeassociated with the calibration component 1124.

As shown in FIG. 11, the calibration unit 1120 has a window 1140 and theadapter has a window 1134 configured to contact (or nearly contact) thewindow 1140 when the adapter 1130 is coupled to the calibration unit1120. The endoscope 1100 is configured to contact (or nearly contact)the window 1134 when inserted into the adapter 1130. In someembodiments, these components are configured to contact (or nearlycontact) each other such that small imperfections associated with thewindow 1134 and/or the window 1140 may not be perceptible to theendoscopic sensor 1102 (e.g., out of focus) during calibration, andthus, may not affect calibration of the endoscopic sensor 1102. Thewindow 1140 can be removably coupled to the calibration unit 1120 suchthat the window 1140 can be replaced, if necessary. In some embodiments,the window 1140 of the calibration unit 1120 can be substantiallytransparent to one or more specified spectral regions of EM radiation.The window 1134 of the adapter 1130 can also be substantiallytransparent to the spectral region(s) of EM radiation or a differentspectral region(s) of EM radiation.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a side cross-sectional view ofan endoscope 1200 received by an adapter 1220 that has been received bya calibration unit 1240, according to an embodiment of the invention.The calibration unit 1240 has a calibration component 1234 that can bean active calibration component or a calibration target configured foruse during calibration of an endoscopic sensor (not shown) of theendoscope 1200. The endoscope 1200 has a lumen 1204 (e.g., channel) thatcan include, for example, a fiber optic configured to facilitatetransmission of EM radiation 1260 emitted from or reflected from thecalibration component 1234 towards the endoscope 1200. The endoscopicsensor (not shown) can be configured to receive the EM radiation 1260via the lumen 1204.

The adapter 1220 is configured such that an opening 1202 of theendoscope 1200 can be removably coupled to a protrusion 1226 of theadapter 1220 such that the endoscope 1200 has a specified orientationrelative to the calibration unit 1240. In this embodiment, theprotrusion 1226 is defined by a portion of a window 1224 of the adapter1220, but in some embodiments, the protrusion 1226 can be defined by adifferent portion of the adapter 1220 (e.g., body portion or endoscopeholder 1228). In some embodiments, the protrusion 1226 can have adifferent shape and can be configured to be inserted into a differentportion of the endoscope 1200.

As shown in FIG. 12, the calibration unit 1240 has a window 1250. Thecalibration unit 1240 also has a sensor 1270 configured to send a signalthat can be used to determine whether or not the adapter 1220 and/orendoscope 1200 have been inserted into a desirable position within thecalibration unit 1240. In some embodiments, the calibration unit 1240can have more than one sensor (not shown) configured to detect theposition of the adapter 1220 and/or endoscope 1200 relative to thecalibration unit 1240.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for coupling an adapterto a calibration unit and coupling an endoscope to the adapter,according to an embodiment of the invention. An adapter is inserted intoa calibration unit at 1300, and an endoscope is inserted into theadapter at 1310. An indicator that the endoscope and/or the adapter havebeen inserted in a specified manner is sent at 1320. The indicator canbe sent from a sensor and received at, for example, a calibrationcontrol module.

An endoscopic sensor is calibrated based on a calibration procedure at1330. The calibration procedure can have more than one calibrationinstruction and can be initiated in response to the endoscope beinginserted into the adapter. The calibration procedure can be executed bya calibration control module disposed within or outside of thecalibration unit.

In some embodiments, the blocks in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 can beperformed in a different order. For example, the endoscope can beinserted into the adapter before the adapter is inserted into thecalibration unit. In some embodiments, the adapter can be coupled to thecalibration unit based on one or more orientation features associatedwith the adapter and/or the calibration unit. In some embodiments, theendoscope can be coupled to the adapter based on one or more orientationfeatures associated with the endoscope and/or the adapter. Theorientation features can be, for example, a protrusion, a notch, and/ora mark.

In an embodiment, an apparatus can include an enclosure configured toreceive an endoscope having an electromagnetic radiation sensor. Theapparatus can also have an electromagnetic radiation source that has atleast a portion disposed within the enclosure and is configured to emitelectromagnetic radiation based on a calibration instruction such thatthe electromagnetic radiation sensor receives at least a portion of theelectromagnetic radiation when at least a portion of the endoscope iscoupled to the enclosure.

In some embodiments, the enclosure can be configured to preventelectromagnetic radiation produced outside of the enclosure from beingreceived by the electromagnetic radiation sensor when the portion of theendoscope is coupled to the enclosure. In some embodiments, theelectromagnetic radiation sensor can be configured to produce a signalbased on the portion of the electromagnetic radiation and the apparatuscan also includes a processor configured to determine a correctionfactor associated with the electromagnetic radiation sensor based on thesignal.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation can define a firstcalibration target and the electromagnetic radiation sensor can beconfigured to produce a signal based on the first calibration target.The apparatus can also have a processor configured to trigger theelectromagnetic radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiationdefining a second calibration target in response to the signal.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source can beconfigured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a first time and theportion can be a first portion. The apparatus also can include adetector configured to produce a signal based on an intensity levelassociated with at least a second portion of the electromagneticradiation received at the detector. The apparatus also can include aprocessor configured to trigger the electromagnetic radiation source toemit electromagnetic radiation at a second time different than the firsttime based on the signal.

In some embodiments, the calibration instruction can be a firstcalibration instruction and the apparatus can further include anactuator coupled to the electromagnetic radiation source. The actuatorcan be configured to move the electromagnetic radiation source relativeto the endoscope based on a second calibration instruction.

In some embodiments, the endoscope can be a first endoscope and thecalibration instruction can be associated with the first endoscope. Theenclosure can be configured to receive a second endoscope different thanthe first endoscope and the electromagnetic radiation source can beconfigured to emit electromagnetic radiation based on a secondcalibration instruction associated with a second endoscope. In someembodiments, the second calibration instruction can be different thanthe first calibration instruction.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also can include a processorconfigured to trigger the endoscope to acquire at least one frame basedon the electromagnetic radiation in response to the calibrationinstruction. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation sourcecan be a liquid crystal display.

In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source can beconfigured to define a test pattern based on the electromagneticradiation and the electromagnetic radiation sensor can be configured toproduce a response based on the test pattern. The apparatus can alsoinclude a processor configured to modify a correction factor associatedwith the electromagnetic radiation sensor of the endoscope based on theresponse.

In some embodiments, a method can include emitting electromagneticradiation at a first time from an electromagnetic radiation source thathas at least a portion disposed within an enclosure. The method caninclude receiving a signal from a sensor defined based on a portion ofthe electromagnetic radiation received at the sensor while at least aportion of an endoscope is received within the enclosure. The method canalso include emitting electromagnetic radiation at a second timedifferent than the first time in response to the signal and based on acalibration algorithm associated with the endoscope.

In some embodiments, emitting at the first time can include emittingelectromagnetic radiation defining a first calibration target andemitting at the second time can include emitting electromagneticradiation defining a second calibration target different from the firstcalibration target. In some embodiments, the emitting at the first timecan include emitting electromagnetic radiation defining a calibrationtarget and emitting at the second time can include emittingelectromagnetic radiation defining a test target.

In some embodiments, the sensor can be an electromagnetic radiationsensor associated with the endoscope and the method can includedetermining whether a responsiveness of the electromagnetic radiationsensor satisfies a failure condition based on the signal and sending anotification in response to the determining. In some embodiments, themethod can include moving the electromagnetic radiation source relativeto the endoscope based on the signal.

In some embodiments, the portion can be a first portion and the sensorcan have a portion disposed within the enclosure. Emitting associatedwith the first time can include emitting such that at least a secondportion of the electromagnetic radiation at the first time is receivedby an electromagnetic radiation sensor associated with the endoscope.

In some embodiments, the sensor can be an electromagnetic radiationsensor associated with the endoscope. The method can also includedefining a correction factor associated with the electromagneticradiation sensor based on the signal. In some embodiments, the sensorcan be associated with the endoscope and the signal can be a firstsignal. The method can also include sending a second signal differentthan the first signal to the endoscope to trigger the sensor to acquirea frame associated with at least one of the electromagnetic radiationemitted at the first time or the electromagnetic radiation emitted atthe second time.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus can include an adapter that hasan opening configured to receive a portion of an endoscope and acalibration unit that can be configured to receive the adapter such thatan image sensor of the endoscope has a specified position relative to atarget disposed within the calibration unit when the adapter is coupledto the calibration unit and the endoscope is coupled to the adapter.

In some embodiments, the target can be an active calibration componentthat has a portion configured to emit electromagnetic radiation based ona calibration algorithm associated with the endoscope. In someembodiments, the target can be an active test target to emitelectromagnetic radiation based on a calibration algorithm associatedwith the endoscope.

In some embodiments, the calibration unit can have an orientationfeature associated with an orientation feature of the endoscope. Theimage sensor can have a specified orientation within a plane normal to alongitudinal axis of the endoscope when the orientation feature of thecalibration unit is aligned with the orientation feature of theendoscope.

In some embodiments, a first orientation feature associated with theadapter can be configured to mate with an orientation feature of theendoscope. A second orientation feature associated with the adapter canbe configured to mate with an orientation feature associated with thecalibration unit.

In some embodiments, the adapter can have a portion distal to the imagesensor of the endoscope when the endoscope is coupled to the adapter. Insome embodiments, the portion can be transparent to visible light. Insome embodiments, a distance between the image sensor and thecalibration target can be defined, at least in part, by a portion of theadapter distal to the image sensor of the endoscope when the endoscopeis coupled to the adapter.

In some embodiments, the adapter can be a first adapter and theendoscope can be a first endoscope. The calibration unit can beconfigured receive a second adapter different than the first adapter andthe second adapter can be associated with a second endoscope differentthan the first endoscope. In some embodiments, the apparatus can includea sensor configured to trigger execution of a calibration algorithm whenthe adapter is coupled to the calibration unit and the endoscope iscoupled to adapter.

In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a sensor configured tosend an alarm indicator when execution of a calibration algorithm isinitiated and when the endoscope is not in the specified positionrelative to the target. In some embodiments, the calibration target canbe associated with an image disposed within a plane and a longitudinalaxis of the endoscope can be non-parallel to the plane when theendoscope is coupled to the adapter and the adapter is coupled to thecalibration unit.

In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a processor configured toinitiate execution of a calibration algorithm at a first time when theendoscope is in the specified position relative to the target and asensor configured to terminate the execution of the calibrationalgorithm at a second time when the endoscope is moved from thespecified position relative to the target.

Some embodiments relate to a computer storage product with acomputer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readablemedium) having instructions or computer code thereon for performingvarious computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code(also referred to as code) may be those specially designed andconstructed for the specific purpose or purposes. Examples ofcomputer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magneticstorage media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape;optical storage media such as Compact Disc/Digital Video Discs(CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), and holographicdevices; magneto-optical storage media such as floptical disks; carrierwave signals; and hardware devices that are specially configured tostore and execute program code, such as ASICs, Programmable LogicDevices (PLDs), and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer codeinclude, but are not limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions,machine instructions, such as produced by a compiler, and filescontaining higher-level instructions that are executed by a computerusing an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may beimplemented using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programminglanguage and development tools. Additional examples of computer codeinclude, but are not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, andcompressed code.

In conclusion, methods and apparatus for calibration of a sensorassociated with an endoscope are described. Variations and substitutionsmay be made to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by theembodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to belimited to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modificationsand alternative constructions are possible.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of calibrating a medical device, themethod comprising: receiving a distal end portion of the medical devicein a calibration unit, wherein the medical device includes a sensor;selecting calibration instructions associated with the sensor, whereinthe calibration instructions define a first calibration target;receiving a first signal from the sensor based on the first calibrationtarget; determining one or more correction factors based on the firstsignal; and calibrating the sensor based on the one or more correctionfactors, wherein calibrating the sensor includes determining whether aresponsiveness of the sensor to the first calibration target meets athreshold condition.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein defining thefirst calibration target includes emitting radiation in a specifiedarrangement and/or at a specified intensity.
 23. The method of claim 22,wherein defining the first calibration target further includes emittingradiation at a specified distance and/or at a specified orientationtowards the medical device.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein definingthe first calibration target further includes defining the firstcalibration target at a first light intensity.
 25. The method of claim21, wherein the first calibration target includes a color field and/or abore sighting image.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the firstcalibration target includes the color field, and the color fieldincludes a uniform white field, a uniform black field, or a uniformfield of another color.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the firstcalibration target further includes an image for calibrating resolution,an image for lens aberration correction, and/or a spectral imagingcalibration target.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the calibratingincludes calibrating individual pixels of the sensor.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the one or more correction factors includes anadditive or multiplicative factor applied to one or more pixels of thesensor.
 30. A method of calibrating a medical device, the methodcomprising: selecting calibration instructions associated with a sensorof the medical device, wherein the calibration instructions define afirst calibration target and a second calibration target different fromthe first calibration target; receiving a first signal from the sensorbased on the first calibration target; after receiving the first signal,receiving a second signal from the sensor based on the secondcalibration target; determining one or more correction factors based onthe first signal and the second signal; calibrating the sensor based onthe one or more correction factors; and determining whether aresponsiveness of the calibrated sensor to the first calibration targetand/or the second calibration target meets a threshold condition. 31.The method of claim 30, further comprising modifying at least one of theone or more correction factors, and/or calculating an additionalcorrection factor, when the responsiveness of the calibrated sensorfails to meet the threshold condition.
 32. The method of claim 31,further comprising notifying a user regarding whether the responsivenessof the calibrated sensor meets or fails to meet the threshold condition.33. The method of claim 30, wherein the one or more correction factorsincludes a linear luminance correction factor, a color gain correctionfactor, a white balance correction factor, a resolution correctionfactor, and/or a lens aberration correction.
 34. The method of claim 30,wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of pixels, and calibrating thesensor includes calibrating individual pixels in parallel.
 35. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of pixels,and calibrating the sensor includes calibrating individual pixels inserial.
 36. A method of calibrating a medical device, the methodcomprising: selecting calibration instructions associated with a sensorof the medical device, wherein the calibration instructions define afirst calibration target and a second calibration target different fromthe first calibration target; capturing at least one frame of the firstcalibration target during a first time period; capturing at least oneframe of the second calibration target during a second time period; anddetermining one or more correction factors based on data associated withthe at least one frame of the first calibration target and the at leastone frame of the second calibration target, wherein the firstcalibration target is defined at a first light intensity, and the secondcalibration target is defined at a second light intensity that isdifferent from the first light intensity.
 37. The method of claim 36,further comprising calibrating the sensor based on the one or morecorrection factors, wherein calibrating the sensor includes determininga responsiveness of the sensor to the at least one frame of the firstcalibration target and the at least one frame of the second calibrationtarget; and determining whether the responsiveness of the sensor meets athreshold condition.
 38. The method of claim 37, further comprisingmodifying at least one of the one or more correction factors, and/orcalculating an additional correction factor, when the responsiveness ofthe calibrated sensor fails to meet the threshold condition.
 39. Themethod of claim 37, further comprising notifying a user regardingwhether the responsiveness of the calibrated sensor meets or fails tomeet the threshold condition.
 40. The method of claim 37, wherein theresponsiveness of the sensor is characterized in terms of a voltagelevel, a current level, and/or a digital number.